The U.S. Travel Association joined Congressman Darren Soto and more than 20 Orlando-area travel and business leaders for a “Travel Works for America” Power Hour at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority on Wednesday, September 4—bringing together local and national leadership to demonstrate travel’s essential contributions to the local region and businesses.
 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to join the conversation with Visit Orlando, Experience Kissimmee, Congressman Soto and other local leaders to discuss travel’s indispensable value to communities like the Orlando area,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Policy. “We look forward to working with local leadership and Congressman Soto to continue to support the recognition and growth of travel to his district and throughout the nation.”

“I was thrilled to join representatives from Visit Orlando, Experience Kissimmee, and others for a discussion on Central Florida travel as part of U.S. Travel’s ‘Travel Works for America’ Advocacy Tour,” said Congressman Soto. “We’re investing millions of dollars to upgrade Orlando International Airport, improve passports, visas, and workforce, expand I-4 and Brightline/SunRail, and more. We are proud to support our top industry.” 

“Our meeting with Congressman Soto and U.S. Travel highlights the power of collaboration,” said Casandra Matej, President & CEO of Visit Orlando. “Tourism is a driving force behind Orlando’s economy, generating over $92 billion in economic impact and supporting more than 464,000 direct and indirect jobs in our community. By working together to address challenges and explore opportunities, we can ensure our region continues to thrive, benefiting all who live, work, and visit here.

“Congressman Soto has been a huge champion and advocate for the travel industry in our community, and this was an invaluable opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the challenges facing our industry. This program, coordinated by U.S. Travel, was a tremendous success, making for a productive and impactful afternoon,” said DT Minich, President and CEO Experience Kissimmee.

The Power Hour group held discussions on topics critical to the local and national industry, including: the need to lower wait times for first-time visitor visas applicants, currently facing 260+ day wait times on average in key inbound markets; reducing wait times for travelers at U.S. Customs and gateway airports; the need to permanently expand the H-2B worker visa program—especially for communities across the Orlando region which need temporary workers to support small and seasonal business.

The agenda included more discussion of work to be done at the federal level as well, specifically the need to secure full funding for the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce; opportunities for Congress to modernize travel through another major infrastructure bill; and the importance of Brand USA, the official destination marketing organization for the United States.